Shows
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtOwning Your Brand: A Conversation with Lucia on Authenticity and Career ImpactIn this episode, we dive deep into the power of personal branding with special guest Lucia de los Heros de Uriarte, an inspiring professional in the design industry. Lucia shares actionable strategies and honest reflections that will help you elevate your personal brand with purpose. Whether you're building from scratch or refining your presence, this episode will give you the mindset and tools to own your story and stand out in your field. Join Craig Stargardt live for his upcoming virtual seminar: From Experience to Impact: How to Rethink Your Resume for Career Growth 📅 Wednesday, Jun...2025-06-0126 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtCrafting a Personal Brand That Stands Out: A Conversation with Dr. Felicia HunterIn this episode of Motivate Forward, host Craig Stargardt sits down with Dr. Felicia Hunter to explore the power of personal branding and career transformation. Dr. Hunter shares her journey and how Craig’s guidance helped her elevate her resume, clarify her personal brand and position herself for new opportunities. Together, they discuss the practical strategies Craig used to highlight her unique strengths, the importance of authenticity in personal branding, and how even seasoned professionals can benefit from a fresh perspective. Whether you're early in your career or looking to reinvent yourself, this conversation offers valuable insights on how to...2025-04-2918 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtWhat is the 80/20 Rule and How to Apply It?Looking to get more with less? In this quick episode, I’m breaking down the 80/20 Rule and how to apply it to your life and business for maximum impact. 💡 Tune in now for simple, actionable tips! 🚀 For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.2025-01-0604 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtDo It Right the First Time!In this short but impactful episode of Motivate Forward, Craig Stargart is joined by guest Ralph Winfrey, a seasoned creative. Together, they delve into the critical concept of doing it right the first time—an approach that emphasizes precision, planning, and excellence in every step of the process. Ralph shares his insights on how getting it right from the start can save time, resources, and energy in the long run, whether in business, personal projects, or everyday tasks. Craig and Ralph discuss the mindset shift required to prioritize quality over speed, and how this philosophy can lead to...2024-12-1007 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtBreaking the Silence: The Importance of EngagingEngagement is the secret sauce to obtaining what you want. In the episode, listeners learn how to break the (awkward) silence. This is critical whether you are interviewing, in sales or even on a date. Craig and guest Ralph Winfrey explain the importance of engaging and the benifits that come from doing it right. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.2023-07-2818 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtHow to Apply Basic Selling Skills to an InterviewMany people go into interviews believing that the company has all of the power. This simply isn't true! As much as you want to join their team, they have an equal goal of convincing you to want to join them instead of their competitors. An interview is an opportunity for you to sell yourself (the product) to a company to help reach its goals. In this episode, we change our outlook on interviews from "trying to land the job", to how to use basic selling skills to entice the company to buy your product (YOU and the s...2023-06-2613 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtLaid Off. Now What? Saja Al Weshahi joins Craig to discuss her next move after being laid off from her job. Layoffs are inevitable in this economy and this podcast sheds light on the importance of being prepared for an event like this. Join Saja and Craig as they discuss her experiences during this transition. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.2023-04-0945 minMotivate Forward with Craig StargardtCollege VS Trade School: Which Do I Choose?How do you choose between Trade School and College? Whether you are a high schooler with graduation approaching or someone already working in an industry, you will walk away from this podcast more educated about the differences and benefits of each. Craig brings decades of life experience and success without a college degree to the conversation while Ralph contrasts by being a recent college graduate. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.2023-03-2512 minMotivate Forward with Craig StargardtHow to Increase Your Pay by Finding Your Skill SetWhat are your skills? If you do not have a concise answer to that question then this episode is for you! Join Craig and Ralph as they discuss Craig's tried and proven ways to determine your personal skill set which can ultimately lead to getting that raise or job that you want. Pen and paper will be needed to get the most out of this episode. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.2023-03-1110 minMotivate Forward with Craig StargardtIs Your Job Safe?In this quick episode, Craig scratches the surface on how to make yourself indispensable, thus furthering your job security. In today's market, jobs can come and go. Make sure your job is one that stays by being multi-faceted and always learning. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.2022-11-2203 minMotivate Forward with Craig StargardtDesign Thinking with Chris GoodWhat is Design Thinking...? - Chris Good describes it as "Solving problems in a very human and iterative way", but that just scratches the surface. Stay tuned and be a fly on the wall as Craig Stargardt and Chris converse about the holistic advantages and uses of design thinking. Craig and Chris spent many hours working together to develop the Masters of Fine Arts in Design Thinking graduate degree program at Radford University. This conversation covers that process and how they implement Design Thinking in their everyday lives. **To watch this full episode, s...2022-08-1241 minMotivate Forward with Craig StargardtProfessional Courtesy with Craig StargardtSummer is in full swing. This means shorts, outdoor meetings and vacation time. In this quick episode, I go over a few professional courtesies that will help you maintain your business relationships throughout this busy time. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.2022-07-3102 minMotivate Forward with Craig StargardtThe Importance of Mentorship with Saja Al-WeshahiThe importance of a mentor can not be understated, it can literally change your life! In this episode, Craig interviews Saja Al-Weshahi, one of his mentees on the value of having a mentor. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.2022-04-1221 minMotivate Forward with Craig StargardtA Teachable MomentThe slap heard around the world seems comical to some, but could carry serious consequences for most non-celebrity people. In this episode, Craig zooms out to look at the big picture and the impact that this can and will have on a person's personal brand. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.2022-04-1202 minMotivate Forward with Craig StargardtWho is Craig Stargardt? The Background EpisodeCraig is often asked about his background, where he came from, and those dark and cold nights lit by kerosene lanterns. In this episode, Craig and his sound Engineer Ralph discuss the pivotal moments in his life, how he founded Motivate Forward in 2012 and strategies that helped him change his situation that are still relevant today. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com.2022-04-0218 minMotivate Forward with Craig StargardtWhat is GOOD Customer Service?With over $30 million worth of textiles sold and over 30 years of skin in the game, I know what GOOD customer service is(and also what it isn"t)! In this episode, I explain all of the nuances and strategies that have made me successful over the years. These strategies can be applied to all industries and markets! Shoutout to RVisuals, a creative solutions team specializing in small businesses for sponsoring this episode. My listeners will receive a free business analysis by mentioning Motivate Forward in your inquiry. Redeem your free analysis by visiting www.RalphWinfrey.com...2022-02-1814 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtHow to Work the Room & Make Real ConnectionsIn this episode, I cover how to make the most out of conferences, events, and any social gathering. Learn how to talk to everyone and make real connections that will benefit you in the future. The methods I talk about can be applied to every situation, from a busy convention to a corporate holiday party. Remember these tips, and I am sure that networking at your next function will be much easier. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com. 2021-07-2305 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtHow to Sell Your Product: Part 3In this episode, Craig explains how to market your product. This is where you begin to sell it. From your business card to your resume, everything needs to be aligned with your brand. Consistency is a simple way to generate confidence and trust which translates into loyal returning clients. Use this 3 part series as a reference and starting point whenever you are inspecting your brand for ways to improve. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com 2021-05-1114 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtYou are the Brand: Part 2In part 2, Craig discusses how to package your product. You are the brand. And you represent your personal brand even when you are not working. This episode focuses on how to maintain your personal brand through an ever-changing environment and stay ahead of the competition. Stay tuned for the final episode in the series where Craig ties everything together and explains your marketing. For more resources and my booking information, visit my website www.MotivateForward.com 2021-03-0907 minMotivate Forward with Craig StargardtWith Everything Stacked Against Zahnea, She Found a WayCraig had the pleasure of interviewing friend and client, Zahnea John. Her story is really inspiring because of her ability to find a way to succeed, no matter the circumstance. Even while working 3 jobs she still had laser focus on her goals. Her story of overcoming and perseverance without any pity parties is what makes Zahnea special. She doesn't let anything get in her way and during this interview, she details exactly how she did that, her experience with college and what's next for her. The full video interview is also available on Youtube. For m...2021-03-0730 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtYou are the Product, Part 1To start this series, Craig Stargardt will teach you how to look at yourself as a company, see yourself as a product of that company and ultimately improve your product to grow your business. This includes knowing the language of your industry, critical thinking and how to present yourself in a professional manner. Craig put this series together to help teach what isn't taught in school, a real world, pragmatic commonsense approach to success. Stay tuned for the next episode where Craig will explain "your packaging", the second part of the 3 part series. For more...2021-01-3011 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtProtect Your Brand During the HolidaysDon't let this holiday party cost you your job! In this episode Craig will discuss how to use holiday gatherings to your advantage. Mingle, have fun and protect your brand with these essential tips. REMEMBER, just because you are at a party, you still represent your brand. Don't let years of hard work be tarnished by drunken comments. For more information and resources visit, my website www.motivateforward.com2020-12-1701 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtYour Resume Gets You The InterviewToday, I interviewed Ralph, a recent Radford University graduate that I helped secure a job by transforming his resume and preparing him for the interview. We go over the importance of how you word your resume from the client's perspective and the impact it had on his job search. Learn the importance of your resume representing your brand and how what you say on your resume will determine if you get the interview. For more information and resources visit my website www.MotivateForward.com2020-10-2618 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtZoom Etiquette with Craig StargardtIn this episode of Motivate Forward, Craig will guide you through Zoom etiquette. As video conferences and working from home become the new normal, this doesn't mean you can stop being professional. From controlling your background to muting yourself when not speaking, Craig goes over everything you need to know to represent yourself or your company over Zoom. Be sure to check out earlier podcasts and free resources at MotiveForward.com.2020-10-2004 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtInvest in YourselfYou are your most valuable investment. Are you doing all that you can to stay ahead of the competition? In this episode, I will explain why it is crucial to invest in yourself and I will give you a personal evaluation form to help you determine what you need to work on. Visit www.MotivateForward.com/Resources 2020-08-3004 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtPerception & NonverbalPerception is one of those things you don't think about...until it happens to you. Craig dives into how perception and non-verbal communication can have a serious impact on your business and home life. Leave me feedback on Instagram: Motivate_Forward For private consulting contact me at www.MotivateForward.com2020-07-3104 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtYou are a Brand! How can you brand be better?Did you know that you are a brand? From the coffee you drink to the glasses you wear, everything reflects on your brand. Learn how to represent your brand in a way consistent with your goals. For personal consulting visit MotivateForward.com2020-07-1803 min
Motivate Forward with Craig StargardtHow to give better directionsI'm going to share a tip that you can use when a task doesn't go the way you expected and how to communicate better with your employees, family and friends. 2020-06-1802 min